Catalytic reactor with swirl

Abstract

A catalyst conduit for a catalytic reactor of a turbine combustor, the conduit comprising a tube including an inlet and an outlet, and a wall with an interior surface and an exterior surface. The tube contains a variation in its cross sectional area along at least a portion of its length to change a property of a fluid flowing adjacent the wall of the tube. An oxidation catalyst is deposited on at least a portion of the tube.

1. A catalyst conduit for a catalytic reactor of a turbine combustor, the conduit comprising:
 a tube including an inlet and an outlet, and a wall with an interior surface and an exterior surface, wherein the tube contains a variation in its cross sectional area along at least a portion of its length to change a property of a fluid flowing adjacent the wall of the tube; and 
 an oxidation catalyst deposited on at least a portion of the interior surface of the tube. 
 
     
     
       2. The conduit of  claim 1  wherein the variation in the cross sectional area of the tube changes velocity of the fluid in the tube to promote turbulence in the fluid upon exiting the tube. 
     
     
       3. The conduit of  claim 1  wherein a non-periodic variation in the cross sectional area of the tube impedes the flow of the fluid on either side of the tube wall allowing for greater heat transfer through the tube wall. 
     
     
       4. The conduit of  claim 1  wherein the variation in the cross sectional area of the tube is a series of ribs creating an undulating profile of the tube wall. 
     
     
       5. The conduit of  claim 1  wherein the tube wall is helically fluted, and wherein the variation in the cross sectional area of the tube is a change in pitch of helical flutes comprising the tube wall. 
     
     
       6. The conduit of  claim 5  wherein the variation in the cross sectional area of the tube is a change of the tube wall thickness with respect to a central axis of the tube. 
     
     
       7. The conduit of  claim 1  further wherein the variation in cross sectional area of the tube is a series of fins. 
     
     
       8. The conduit of  claim 1  further wherein the variation in cross sectional area of the tube is a twisted portion of the tube to create an undulating profile. 
     
     
       9. The conduit of  claim 8  wherein the twisted portion contains a non-uniform pitch of the twists per unit length. 
     
     
       10. The conduit of  claim 8  wherein the twisted portion contains dual twists, one twist clockwise about a central axis of the tube, and one twist counterclockwise about the central axis of the tube. 
     
     
       11. The conduit of  claim 1  wherein the variation of the cross sectional area of the tube is present approximately at the last one-third of the tube. 
     
     
       12. A catalytic reactor comprising:
 a housing having an inlet and an outlet, the housing defining an interior chamber; 
 a plurality of tubes mounted within the interior chamber of the housing, each tube comprising:
 an inlet and an outlet, and a wall with an interior surface and an exterior surface, wherein the tubes contain means for varying a property of a fluid passing adjacent the wall of the tube; and 
 an oxidation catalyst deposited on at least a portion of the interior surface of the tube; 
 
 wherein an interior of the tubes form a first fluid pathway; and the exterior surfaces of the tubes and the interior chamber form a second fluid pathway containing an exit port; and 
 wherein the outlets of the plurality of tubes and the exit port are proximately located such that a first fluid exiting the outlets of the plurality of tubes mixes with a second fluid exiting the housing through the exit port. 
 
     
     
       13. The catalytic reactor of  claim 12  wherein the means for varying comprises a change in cross sectional area of the tube from a change in the tube wall thickness. 
     
     
       14. The catalytic reactor of  claim 12  wherein the means for varying comprises a tube wall that is helically fluted. 
     
     
       15. The catalytic reactor of  claim 12  wherein the means for varying is present for less than one-half the total length of the tube. 
     
     
       16. The catalytic reactor of  claim 12  farther comprising:
 a series of fins attached to the exterior surface of the tube wall, wherein the means for varying the fluid property is a change in the gradient of the series of fins.